New! Cook from Frozen Turkey (2024)

FAQs

Why does Butterball say cook from frozen? ›

Butterball turkeys are stuffed immediately after processing. Then they are blast-frozen so there is no opportunity for bacterial growth. The turkey is cooked from frozen so again there is no opportunity for bacterial growth.

Is it okay to thaw this offering? Yes, you can roast a Butterball Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey if it's been accidently thawed, but it will roast faster than indicated on the packaging instructions.

After cooking a few frozen turkeys, I can verify that frozen turkey is really quite good. It cooks more slowly at a lower temperature, so I've found that the breast often turns out juicier than than a fully-thawed turkey.

8- to 12-pound turkey: 4 to 4-1/2 hours. 12- to 14-pound turkey: 4 1/2 to 5-3/4 hours. 14- to 18-pound turkey: 6 to 6-3/4 hours. 18- to 20-pound turkey: 6-3/4 to 7-1/2 hours.

“Actually, from a food safety standpoint it's safer to cook the turkey when it's still frozen. A frozen turkey will not spread raw juices around the kitchen, will not waste water as you try to thaw it and will produce an excellent and juicy cooked product.”

Butterball Frozen Whole Turkey is all natural*, gluten free and raised without hormones on American farms. Each turkey is pre-brined before freezing for meat that's always tender and juicy. Frozen turkey can be purchased ahead of time for convenience and thawed prior to cooking.

In case you are wondering, here are some thawing methods that are not recommended: thawing a turkey on the counter, in the garage or on the back porch.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place roasting rack or foil ring on pan, and place turkey on top. In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, salt, thyme, and parsley.

Keep frozen until you're ready to thaw it. Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Do you cover a cook from frozen turkey? ›

Do not cover or add water. Use of foil or shiny pan can lengthen your cook time from suggested cook times above. Loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil during last half hour to prevent skin from becoming too dark, if desired. Allow the turkey to stand for 15 minutes before carving.

Because of the way the birds are raised and what they are fed, there can be a noticeable taste difference between fresh and frozen. Fresh turkeys, with their more natural diet, can have a slightly "gamey" taste and a tougher texture. However, fresh turkeys also retain more moisture, which means more flavor.

Turkey Tips

Frozen Whole Turkeys and Frozen Whole Turkey Breasts need to be thawed before cooking. Thaw Fully Cooked Baked and Smoked Turkeys via the refrigerator method. Refrigerator thawing is preferred and the least labor-intensive but requires more time.

Try a safe quick-thawing method. Cold water: Keep the bird in its airtight packaging or a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold water, and change the water every 30 minutes. Microwave: Use your manufacturer guidelines to thaw for about 6 minutes per pound.

It takes 24 hours for every four to five pounds of weight for a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator (a 15-pound turkey will take three days to thaw in your refrigerator). A completely thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking.

Raw or cooked meat, poultry or casseroles can be cooked or reheated from the frozen state. However, it will take approximately one and a half times as long to cook. For example, if fresh meat takes one hour to cook, the same meat cooked frozen would take 1 1/2 hours.

Butterball fully cooked whole turkey is always juicy, tender and full of oven-roasted flavor. This baked whole turkey requires no brining or seasoning and less time in the oven than uncooked whole turkeys.

Because of the way the birds are raised and what they are fed, there can be a noticeable taste difference between fresh and frozen. Fresh turkeys, with their more natural diet, can have a slightly "gamey" taste and a tougher texture. However, fresh turkeys also retain more moisture, which means more flavor.

If food is still frozen or partially frozen, it will take longer to cook. The outside of the food could be cooked, but the centre might not be, which means it could contain harmful bacteria. Do you check food is thoroughly defrosted before cooking?